Art Lesson Plan: Watercolor Stained Glass Windows

Techniques, Tips and Supplies You Need to Plan and Teach This Rewarding Student Art Project

Over the years, I have implemented a variety of classroom art projects using watercolors to create faux stained glass windows. The technique presented in this lesson plan can be modified to serve several objectives. First is a purely aesthetic exercise, in which children develop the skill to create beautiful artworks which appear to be composed of translucent panes. Second, artistic concepts such as color theory can be taught in conjunction with the project, resulting in paintings with even greater beauty and harmony. Finally, the lesson can reinforce curriculum learning, in which children research a subject for their watercolor project. So, at many levels, this lesson plan provides students with simple techniques to produce their very own masterpiece in about three to four hours of class time. After the basic project is painted, additional embellishments can be added to create stunning artwork for display.

Grade Level: I recommend this project for students in fourth grade and older. Younger students may not have the motor skills for painting geometric shapes without crossing the lines. The project works well for small to large classroom sizes, as long as enough helpers are present to dole out supplies and assist with drawing and painting. I have even done this on a grade-level basis, with over forty children participating. I was also successful implementing this project for a family education program involving both students and their parents.

Subject: One way to begin the project is with a word, for example: the child's name. In a religious school setting, I have used the child's Hebrew name as the focus for the painting. Children learn the correct spelling of their name with Hebrew letters and use Hebrew letter stencils or freehand their name in block letters on the page.

Another variation of the project revolves around a theme, for example: the rainforest. Each child might choose a plant, animal or other aspect of the rainforest and develop a simple picture or graphic design to represent their theme. That picture is drawn simply on the page, without too much detail.